Styx’s ‘Come Sail Away’ Helps Homeless Musician Get a Second Chance

The latest classic rock-related viral video making the rounds is of a homeless man in Sarasota, Fla., playing the opening passage of Styx's "Come Sail Away" on a public piano. You can watch it above.

Since the video was uploaded on June 30, it has registered close to 4 million hits. With so much attention being paid to the two-and-a-half minute clip, local and national news outlets have gotten to know more about the mysterious musician.

Inside Edition has found out that his name is Donald Gould, a 51-year old former Marine, where he played the clarinet in the Marine Corps Band. Gould had formal music training from Michigan's Spring Arbor University and can play many instruments, but left a few courses shy of a degree in music theory. He has a history of drug use and been homeless for at least three years. His wife committed suicide in 1998, at which point his life took a downturn, and he has an 18-year old son whom he has not seen in years.

With Gould's story making headlines around the country, people have stepped up to help him. WFLA reports that one person has donated a clarinet he wasn't using anymore Friends have created both a Facebook page in his name, to keep people updated on his situation, and GoFundMe campaign to help get him off the streets and get the counseling and rehab he needs. As of this writing, it has received $23,755, with donations coming from 1,036 people.

Written by Dennis DeYoung, "Come Sail Away," was Styx's breakthrough hit. It was released on 1977's The Grand Illusion and reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.